Fresh or Frozen Green Beans? Sesame and Garlic Green Beans

by Kristi Rimkus on February 2, 2012


This time of year it’s easy find an abundance of winter vegetables. You’ll find bins of squashes, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and colorful cabbages at your local grocery store. But what about those spring and summer vegetables like green beans and fresh, sweet peas?

Sesame Green Beans

Sesame Green Beans

No problem! After reading this article in Eating Well magazine, I know that I can eat those out of season vegetables any time I want. I just need to shop the frozen aisles of my grocery store.

I won’t be sacrificing a single nutrient because reputable companies freeze vegetables freshly picked, locking in those essential nutrients. Often, the fresh vegetables you find at the market have been shipped and kept in cold storage for several days. That doesn’t sound fresh to me.

Sesame Green Beans

Sesame Green Beans

Just a few simple ingredients like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey turn a simple bag of frozen green beans, into a sweet and savory side dish.

Looks fresh to me!

Sesame and Garlic Green Beans

Serving Size: 4

Amount Per Serving Calories: 168 Weight Watchers PointsPlus 5 Total Fat: 9.98g Cholesterol: -- Sodium: 143mg Total Carbs: 17.64g Dietary Fiber: 5.28g Sugars: 7.99g Protein: 4.91g

Ingredients

  • 4 cups green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed (if beans are frozen, all them to thaw before cooking)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ½ cup green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 inch piece ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 tablespoons sesame seeds , toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat a stove top wok or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add oil, and when the oil is hot, add green beans.
  2. Stir fry the green beans for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and ginger.
  3. Stir fry for another 5 - 8 minutes until the beans are crisp-tender. Lower heat and add water or vegetable broth as needed if the beans begin to burn.
  4. Add the green onion, soy sauce and honey. Stir for another minute or two to spread sauce.
  5. Serve with sprinkled with the sesame seeds.
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Liz February 2, 2012 at 9:32 am

I knew I’d love these just from the title! Yup, they sound amazing!
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Belinda @zomppa February 2, 2012 at 11:32 am

I love beans. Always have for some reason, and these are perfect flavors!
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krimkus February 2, 2012 at 9:42 pm

This is my favorite way to make green beans. I love the honey and soy sauce. Have a good weekend!

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Kiri W. February 2, 2012 at 1:21 pm

Oooh, the honey in this sounds amazing! Lovely, this is a perfect side for me. :)
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Cucina49 February 2, 2012 at 1:57 pm

I’m not opposed to frozen vegetables, at all–it just depends on what is fresh and available and what I feel like making. These green beans look fabulous–I would absolutely eat these.

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krimkus February 2, 2012 at 9:35 pm

I totally agree. Have a great weekend!

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torviewtoronto and createwithmom February 2, 2012 at 7:58 pm

beautiful combination looks wonderful
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Casey February 2, 2012 at 9:05 pm

A simple bean transformed into a yummy side dish.
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Tya@note etc. February 3, 2012 at 3:52 am

I love green beans especially baby green beans, they are much crunchy. and it’s become my daily vegetable menu for my daily cooking

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krimkus February 5, 2012 at 8:05 am

Hi Tya – that’s for visiting. You’ll have to let me know if you try it.

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Kristen February 3, 2012 at 5:05 am

I just picked up a package of fresh green beans at the store..this is exactly what I am going to do to them. What a great dish.
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krimkus February 5, 2012 at 8:04 am

Enjoy – love your oatmeal recipe by the way. Great idea to use cream cheese!

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Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen February 3, 2012 at 7:38 am

I’m with you on the frozen veg, Kristi, certainly for beans and spinach as often the ‘fresh’ veg can be very poor specimens indeed. I tend to go for frozen when it comes to beans or peas unless I have grown them myself. Love all the flavours you’ve brought to this dish. Definitely on the menu soon.

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krimkus February 5, 2012 at 7:58 am

Thank you Hester – enjoy your Sunday!

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Angie@Angie's Recipes February 4, 2012 at 4:05 am

I prefer fresh from the farmer market…but frozen one is fine with me too.
The stir-fry looks delicious.
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krimkus February 5, 2012 at 7:44 am

I always plant beans in the garden – the grow so easily here, but this time of year it’s nice to know I can eat frozen. They freeze so well.

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Food Jaunts February 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm

We’re saving up to buy a separate freezer for exactly that reason! I want to stock up on meats and frozen veggies when I see awesome sales. Love the sesame on the green beans.
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krimkus February 5, 2012 at 7:38 am

We have a freezer when we were raising our kids – it saved us a fortune. The best deals were on day old baked goods and meats. Perfectly good when I popped them in the freezer right away.

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Mary February 5, 2012 at 7:01 pm

Love the flavors in this dish – green beans are a great flavorite and and freeze really well. Love this recipe! So pleased to have met you through Eat Cook Share – I’m signing up to follow and looking forward to lots more!
mary x
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krimkus February 6, 2012 at 7:47 pm

Nice to meet you Mary! I’m off to go visit your blog. Have a good week. :)

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Sarah February 6, 2012 at 3:02 am

tht does look so good! and perfect to rustle up for dinner
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Kristen February 6, 2012 at 5:17 am

I featured these beans (well you and some beans that were really close) today on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kristen recently posted…Roasted Sesame Ginger Green Beans: Your Recipe, My KitchenMy Profile

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krimkus February 6, 2012 at 7:41 pm

Hi Kristen – I hopped on over to your blog and I love your idea to roast the veggies. Terrific!

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Sandi February 6, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Terrific flavor combinations. There is just something extra special about coconut oil :)
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Liz February 9, 2012 at 10:11 pm

This looks awesome and reads so well! I am making this!
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krimkus February 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm

Thanks Liz – you’ll have to let me know how you liked it. Have a great weekend!

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Liz February 10, 2012 at 11:01 am

Oh I most definitely will. In fact, when I make it, I will surely post it on my blog and credit you for it. :)
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